dvx tripod less than 1000$ suggestion any1?
- Thread starter ondawan
- Start date
Rush
DVXuser Sponsor
joemondello said:I nearly went with the 755 in aluminum but I knew that I'd forever wish I'd spent another $100 for the weight savings -- especially as I (and my back) get older!
So true Joe, as I tell everyone, if you have the money and you will be hauling these sticks around, get the CF.
andrewbirch
Member
Been reading all about the different heads and legs and have decided from this thread that the Cartoni Focus will be my best long-term investment. I didn't see which sticks were recommended for this head. I'm thinking I want CF with a ground spreader for support of a DVX-100B, but I don't want to spend a lot of money. What sticks would you recommend for the best overall value for the Cartoni Focus?
Shawn Murphy
Well-known member
Rush said:
I have the Miller 832 (DS10 head), love it, and as Rush said, easy quick setup. (not sure how different it is from the 828, except that the 832 cost like $400 more than the 828)
I had originally planned on getting the Cartoni Focus but it had just come out and wasn't in stock at the time
AbracadabraFilms
Active member
I own a Miller...got it from BH under 1K. Used it for about a year, no regrets.
Kevin Briggs
Well-known member
I own the Solo DS 10 Carbon System from Miller. I love it. It's really light. Goes from 14.5"-69". The only downside is that the Carbon legs are so light when I make a really quick pan the legs have a tendancy to want to move. If I could go back I would get some heavier sticks with the same head.
-Kevin
-Kevin
andrewbirch
Member
Rush,
Is there any reason to favor a tripod with a ground spreader or above ground spreader or no spreader at all?
I always liked having the ground spreader so I could toss a sand bag or some dead weight on the spreader for better support, as I don't do any studio work and risk the outdoor and on-location elements. I'll be moving around a lot, so CF weight is important. I'm not sure I understand the concept of the above ground spreader, though. Ground spreader seems like the best way to go. Ideally, I would like a set of two-stage sticks for the DVX-100B (which I promised to buy from you, Rush) that could also support the weight of say an Arri SRII or III rental with big lenses and stuff. I like the idea of having a 100 mm head. The Cartoni Focus seems to be the favorite, but it is a small fortune at over $700 just for the head. Add in a decent set of CF sticks, and that breaks the $1000 mark for someone that works independently.
The number of tripod choices at Rush's place and at BH are overwhelming. Wish there was an easier way of deciphering the sweet spot or best bang for your buck. So many subtle variations in equipment and price.
So I guess the questions are:
1. Type of spreader? Why/why not have a spreader?
2. Skip the Cartoni Focus? But I want a good fluid head.
3. Get a 100 mm head KIT? Or buy separate sticks and head? But no 75 mm head vs. the more versatile 100 mm?
4. Need something light to travel but also need sturdy, preferably with a ground spreader unless there's an argument otherwise.
Wish you had a computer that could calculate this and spit it back out all for around $1000 give or take a hundred or two.
Is there any reason to favor a tripod with a ground spreader or above ground spreader or no spreader at all?
I always liked having the ground spreader so I could toss a sand bag or some dead weight on the spreader for better support, as I don't do any studio work and risk the outdoor and on-location elements. I'll be moving around a lot, so CF weight is important. I'm not sure I understand the concept of the above ground spreader, though. Ground spreader seems like the best way to go. Ideally, I would like a set of two-stage sticks for the DVX-100B (which I promised to buy from you, Rush) that could also support the weight of say an Arri SRII or III rental with big lenses and stuff. I like the idea of having a 100 mm head. The Cartoni Focus seems to be the favorite, but it is a small fortune at over $700 just for the head. Add in a decent set of CF sticks, and that breaks the $1000 mark for someone that works independently.
The number of tripod choices at Rush's place and at BH are overwhelming. Wish there was an easier way of deciphering the sweet spot or best bang for your buck. So many subtle variations in equipment and price.
So I guess the questions are:
1. Type of spreader? Why/why not have a spreader?
2. Skip the Cartoni Focus? But I want a good fluid head.
3. Get a 100 mm head KIT? Or buy separate sticks and head? But no 75 mm head vs. the more versatile 100 mm?
4. Need something light to travel but also need sturdy, preferably with a ground spreader unless there's an argument otherwise.
Wish you had a computer that could calculate this and spit it back out all for around $1000 give or take a hundred or two.
Rush
DVXuser Sponsor
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for asking, here are some opinions:
Sandbags: You can always toss 2 sandbags on the outside of a 2 feet, rather than the ground spreader. Just use two smaller bags, and they work the same way.
1. Type of spreader? Why/why not have a spreader? I usually go with ground for max stability, midlevel for rapid teardown/setup or wet/uneven ground like lawn or stairs. I hate to say ground level is standard studio, because so many great studio tripods have midlevels. As long as you have two small shotbags for the feet, or have a gear bag to hang from the top of the sticks, or are using a heavy camera like an SR3, weight is negligible, because you are adding so much weight to it. The action of the high-quality head moves the camera smoothly without shifting the legs. Midlevels definitely win for fast setup and maximum usefulness. Unless you have legs that locks in place, you need some kind of spreader. Even when you have locking legs, the spreaders allow you more creative height choices, and provide safety in case the leg-locks give. However, legs with no spreaders are the least complicated and lightest, like the Miller 1511, 1514, 1640, 1643.
2. Skip the Cartoni Focus? That is the most affordable 100mm head you can get. There is the 516 from Bogen, which can be mated with the 3141Ball adapter to fit in 100mm bowl, saving you $100, but the Focus will get you better performance under light loads like a DVX. $700 is a small fee for a quality 100mm head, compared with the Professional Vision 8 from Viinten, at $2799, and higher from there.
3. Get a 100 mm head KIT? Or buy separate sticks and head? But no 75 mm head vs. the more versatile 100 mm? The kit almost always saves you some cash. The legs in the F101 tripod are fantastic, and DVXuser price is $100 cheaper than our advertised price. B&H beats it even further. As far as which size to get, if you can afford the 100mm go for it. If you can afford CF, go for it. If not start cutting back, first on the CF. And I am only saying this because you will be using an SR3 with lens extensions, etc. I have a 75mm Vision 3 and it works fantastic on CF sticks. The legs that come in the F101 are the lightest aluminum legs made, for the sturdiness they provide. Followed by Vinten's legs on the Pro6, Pro10, Vision series. IF you want CF, I would recommend getting into Miller sticks first, like the 1514, but then you sacrifice 100mm. For your budget, around $1000, you will find it difficult to get 100mm, CF, with a head for light and heavy duty, unless you get into used tripods. Evin Grant, one of our DVXusers, was selling an incredible Cartoni Gamma head that I couldn't pass up on for the rental dept. It was 6 years old, but he had just had restored at Cartoni, spent a lot of money on it, so I bought it from him. You can get a used tripod for 50-60% less than new. Our neighbors, http://www.broadcaststore.com/store/prod_search_results.cfm?category_search=533 have great deals like that. Heidi, Merchant, or Frank can take care of you. And when you buy used you can haggle a bit
4. Need something light to travel but also need sturdy, preferably with a ground spreader unless there's an argument otherwise. You also need it to be 2-stage compact, and buy a hard carry case to check it in. Here is what you probably want for that purpose, around your budget, lightweight alloy legs:
http://www.miller.com.au/products.cfm?sectid=20&subsec=2020&productID=203
It will run you around $1350, but it has 20 lb capacity, 75mm, sturdy alloy legs, 2-stage, lightweight, no spreader to deal with, a hook for hanging a bag to increase the weight. For $150 more you can get CF legs.
If you prefer ground spreader types, there is a $75 rebate on the Bogen 519, which is superb and has balance adjustment knob: http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=80&itemid=2717 around $1365 before rebate
Prefer 100mm, but don't mind less head quality, try this: http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/itemalone.php3?itemid=2197 around $1100 DVXuser
Best of luck!
Thanks for asking, here are some opinions:
Sandbags: You can always toss 2 sandbags on the outside of a 2 feet, rather than the ground spreader. Just use two smaller bags, and they work the same way.
1. Type of spreader? Why/why not have a spreader? I usually go with ground for max stability, midlevel for rapid teardown/setup or wet/uneven ground like lawn or stairs. I hate to say ground level is standard studio, because so many great studio tripods have midlevels. As long as you have two small shotbags for the feet, or have a gear bag to hang from the top of the sticks, or are using a heavy camera like an SR3, weight is negligible, because you are adding so much weight to it. The action of the high-quality head moves the camera smoothly without shifting the legs. Midlevels definitely win for fast setup and maximum usefulness. Unless you have legs that locks in place, you need some kind of spreader. Even when you have locking legs, the spreaders allow you more creative height choices, and provide safety in case the leg-locks give. However, legs with no spreaders are the least complicated and lightest, like the Miller 1511, 1514, 1640, 1643.
2. Skip the Cartoni Focus? That is the most affordable 100mm head you can get. There is the 516 from Bogen, which can be mated with the 3141Ball adapter to fit in 100mm bowl, saving you $100, but the Focus will get you better performance under light loads like a DVX. $700 is a small fee for a quality 100mm head, compared with the Professional Vision 8 from Viinten, at $2799, and higher from there.
3. Get a 100 mm head KIT? Or buy separate sticks and head? But no 75 mm head vs. the more versatile 100 mm? The kit almost always saves you some cash. The legs in the F101 tripod are fantastic, and DVXuser price is $100 cheaper than our advertised price. B&H beats it even further. As far as which size to get, if you can afford the 100mm go for it. If you can afford CF, go for it. If not start cutting back, first on the CF. And I am only saying this because you will be using an SR3 with lens extensions, etc. I have a 75mm Vision 3 and it works fantastic on CF sticks. The legs that come in the F101 are the lightest aluminum legs made, for the sturdiness they provide. Followed by Vinten's legs on the Pro6, Pro10, Vision series. IF you want CF, I would recommend getting into Miller sticks first, like the 1514, but then you sacrifice 100mm. For your budget, around $1000, you will find it difficult to get 100mm, CF, with a head for light and heavy duty, unless you get into used tripods. Evin Grant, one of our DVXusers, was selling an incredible Cartoni Gamma head that I couldn't pass up on for the rental dept. It was 6 years old, but he had just had restored at Cartoni, spent a lot of money on it, so I bought it from him. You can get a used tripod for 50-60% less than new. Our neighbors, http://www.broadcaststore.com/store/prod_search_results.cfm?category_search=533 have great deals like that. Heidi, Merchant, or Frank can take care of you. And when you buy used you can haggle a bit
4. Need something light to travel but also need sturdy, preferably with a ground spreader unless there's an argument otherwise. You also need it to be 2-stage compact, and buy a hard carry case to check it in. Here is what you probably want for that purpose, around your budget, lightweight alloy legs:
http://www.miller.com.au/products.cfm?sectid=20&subsec=2020&productID=203
It will run you around $1350, but it has 20 lb capacity, 75mm, sturdy alloy legs, 2-stage, lightweight, no spreader to deal with, a hook for hanging a bag to increase the weight. For $150 more you can get CF legs.
If you prefer ground spreader types, there is a $75 rebate on the Bogen 519, which is superb and has balance adjustment knob: http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=80&itemid=2717 around $1365 before rebate
Prefer 100mm, but don't mind less head quality, try this: http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/itemalone.php3?itemid=2197 around $1100 DVXuser
Best of luck!
andrewbirch
Member
Rush, you went above and beyond! I appreciate such a detailed and conscientious response. Even though I commute past B&H every weekday, this is why I am going to do business with you 3000 miles away.
Okay, so you have me sold on the Cartoni Focus. And I think I am UN-sold on the groundspreader. So midlevel spreader or none at all seems like the way to go for anyone that is mobile and out of studio. Put me down for the Focus, as it looks like the best way to go, from some of the posts on this thread.
The Miller DS20 Solo DV Alloy System you mentioned in the link above, will that accomodate the 100mm Cartoni Focus? I like that it's a two-stage compact but I'm not sure the 100mm will fit. And the price of $1350, is that just for the sticks?
Give me a set of sticks that will take the 100mm Cartoni Focus, that is 2-stage with NO spreader or midlevel spreader, and that is lightweight CF or alum alloy, that won't break the bank...what would you suggest?
Cheers,
Andrew
Okay, so you have me sold on the Cartoni Focus. And I think I am UN-sold on the groundspreader. So midlevel spreader or none at all seems like the way to go for anyone that is mobile and out of studio. Put me down for the Focus, as it looks like the best way to go, from some of the posts on this thread.
The Miller DS20 Solo DV Alloy System you mentioned in the link above, will that accomodate the 100mm Cartoni Focus? I like that it's a two-stage compact but I'm not sure the 100mm will fit. And the price of $1350, is that just for the sticks?
Give me a set of sticks that will take the 100mm Cartoni Focus, that is 2-stage with NO spreader or midlevel spreader, and that is lightweight CF or alum alloy, that won't break the bank...what would you suggest?
Cheers,
Andrew
andrewbirch
Member
I think I answered my own question, after a little research. The Cartoni F102 is a 2-stage kit with the Focus fluid 100mm head for about $1400. It's made of lightweight aluminum alloy. The F101 that Rush mentioned above is only 1-stage. Both have a mid-level spreader, and I think the price is reasonable. If you spend just a few hundred dollars over a $1000 budget, you come out much further ahead.
Rush
DVXuser Sponsor
Hi Andrew,
It's my pleasure sir.
The Aluminum 2-stage Millers are more expensive, so here is a Miller no-spreader CF tripod that takes the 100mm Focus head:
http://www.miller.com.au/products.cfm?sectid=20&subsec=2020&productID=188
Pros: The legs are 3-stage, so it folds down super compact, and supports 66lbs. The Focus head ofcourse only supports 22lbs, but the legs give you plenty of room to upgrade. They are built like a tank. I have the 1501 75mm version, and I keep hoping someday I'll get these :cheesy:
Cons: It is about $900 for just the legs, then you have to buy the head. So you are out $1600, and you haven't bought the hard case yet.
Alternatives:
I was going to suggest the $650 Aluminum 3770-3 2-stage Vinten, but by the time you buy the spreader ($350), it costs more than the miller...
One alternative is the 100mm aluminum $420 515MVB from Bogen with floor spreader, great tripod, not as sturdy, but I figured I had to give you something else.
If you just buy the F102 complete Focus 2-stage kit, it is cheaper, by about $200. It is not CF, but sturdy, 100mm.
The CF bogen 542ART is $1450 for just the legs, so that's not an option. The Gitzo MK2 G1325V is also a great CF tripod, but not in 100mm, only 75mm.
http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=78&itemid=1217
So if you want CF, we are back to Miller 1505 with the specs of: 100mm, no spreader needed, compact for travel, lightweight, supports very heavy weights, unless someone has other suggestions.
It's my pleasure sir.
The Aluminum 2-stage Millers are more expensive, so here is a Miller no-spreader CF tripod that takes the 100mm Focus head:
http://www.miller.com.au/products.cfm?sectid=20&subsec=2020&productID=188
Pros: The legs are 3-stage, so it folds down super compact, and supports 66lbs. The Focus head ofcourse only supports 22lbs, but the legs give you plenty of room to upgrade. They are built like a tank. I have the 1501 75mm version, and I keep hoping someday I'll get these :cheesy:
Cons: It is about $900 for just the legs, then you have to buy the head. So you are out $1600, and you haven't bought the hard case yet.
Alternatives:
I was going to suggest the $650 Aluminum 3770-3 2-stage Vinten, but by the time you buy the spreader ($350), it costs more than the miller...
One alternative is the 100mm aluminum $420 515MVB from Bogen with floor spreader, great tripod, not as sturdy, but I figured I had to give you something else.
If you just buy the F102 complete Focus 2-stage kit, it is cheaper, by about $200. It is not CF, but sturdy, 100mm.
The CF bogen 542ART is $1450 for just the legs, so that's not an option. The Gitzo MK2 G1325V is also a great CF tripod, but not in 100mm, only 75mm.
http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=78&itemid=1217
So if you want CF, we are back to Miller 1505 with the specs of: 100mm, no spreader needed, compact for travel, lightweight, supports very heavy weights, unless someone has other suggestions.
andrewbirch
Member
Rush, that Miller 1505 CF 3-stage is sweet! Just over 6 pounds and can hold 66 lbs. Supports 100mm head. No spreader but has locking hinges. Perfect for the Cartoni Focus 100mm fluid head. Amazing. The Cartoni F102 kit is still a contender and real close in price but only rated at 1/3 the weight of the lighter Miller 1505.
I will sleep on it, as it's way past 4 a.m. EST. Thanks so much for your help.
I will sleep on it, as it's way past 4 a.m. EST. Thanks so much for your help.